FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE EXPANDS - RELOCATES TO CONRAD MEDICAL CENTRE

( Monday,March 5, 2012, Waterloo) HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre, a local not-for-profit that provides support to those with cancer and their caregivers, is opening the doors to their new expanded facility March 12.

Having outgrown their trademark house at 43 Allen Street in Waterloo, it is time for HopeSpring to move on from the century home where so many have found comfort, to a new expanded facility as part of the Conrad Medical Centre.

Located at 16 Andrew Street, Kitchener, the new facility is fully accessible, features expanded program space including a larger wig boutique, a spa room, dedicated relaxation therapy rooms, larger yoga space, and a large "fireplace" room where the existing fireplace from the Transylvania club has been remodeled. An outdoor meditation garden and an expanded parking lot will surround the centre.

"We know one of the main challenges of our location at 43 Allen was the accessibility of the building itself - we have limited parking here, and many stairs to climb. Our new home will share a parking lot with the medical office in the same building, enters level to the parking lot and we now have an elevator to move between floors. It's changes like those that just weren't possible in our beautiful old century home," says Catherine Young, Executive Director.

Other logistical challenges have presented themselves over time to the HopeSpring team at their current location - like where to put the administrative staff. "We've been renting three offices from the business next door. We have two people in each of the two offices in 43 Allen now. We're looking forward to having a place where we can take care of the behind-the-scenes work from the same building," Young jokes.

The designers and architects worked hard to ensure that the "home-like" feel of HopeSpring was carried over to the new site. Soft greens and yellows, natural materials, stone work, frosted glass and an open concept reception area were incorporated to preserve the welcoming feel that HopeSpring is known for. For example, the windows from the resource centre will look out into the meditation garden.

"It's going to be beautiful. We will miss the beauty and charm of the century home we've been in for the last 15 years, but I think our new space will keep that feeling going forward," commented Board Chair Catherine Straus.

A grand opening is being planned for sometime in June, once spring arrives and the meditation garden can be planted.

HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre was created to assist people to move beyond the fear, confusion, and frustrations surrounding a cancer diagnosis and treatment. HopeSpring offers a variety of programs and services such as personal and group support, cancer "coaching", relaxation therapies, gentle exercise, a free wig boutique, and an excellent resource centre. Everything they offer is confidential and free of charge, open to friends and family, and no medical referral is needed. They are a local, independent organization that is entirely funded by community donations.

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For more information or to arrange interviews with HopeSpring personnel, please contact Lynda Bauer, Communications Associate, at 519-742-4673 ext. 13 or lynda@hopespring.ca